title: Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis mimicking septic shock after the initiation of chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the neck.
abstract: Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but potentially fatal disorder resulting from a highly stimulated immune response with uncontrolled accumulation of lymphocytes and macrophages in multiple organs. Both the inherited and acquired forms of this disease exist; the latter can sometimes occur secondary to different malignancies. In this report, we present a middle-aged Hispanic man who presented with features of septic shock during the course of chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the neck. Despite aggressive treatment for septic shock, he rapidly deteriorated and died after 30 h of admission. Autopsy findings confirmed a diagnosis of HLH. HLH should be recognised as a serious adverse event during chemotherapy for different malignancies including squamous cell carcinoma of the neck.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Reading Health System, West Reading, Pennsylvania, USA. aryal.madan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Madan Raj
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Aryal
authors.forename: Madan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Badal
authors.forename: Smith
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.forename: Shambhu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aryal
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D051359:Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck